“You better not be.”
He shrugs. “Night, Mom.”
Now it’s only me standing awkwardly in the living room holding a popcorn bowl. I wonder if this is how most parents find themselves at the end of the day.
“Do you own sunscreen?” Lisa asks me from her section of the bar.
“Yeah, why?” I covered my entire face before leaving for Isaac’s games this morning. There’s no way I should have a sunburn.
She moves toward me and boops the tip of my nose. “Because you’re in here looking like a certain reindeer,” she gives me a quick hug. “How are you gonna impress the guys if you’re all red?”
“I’m not trying to impress anyone.” That’s a lie. I know it as soon as the words come out of my mouth. Lisa knows it, too. She shakes her head and moves on to a customer.
“I guess it’s a good thing I’ve seen you at a pretty low spot, huh?” Eric walks by me. “Though, I’m pretty fucking impressed by you every day.”
He’s laying it on pretty thick. “If you say so.”
Out of the Ashes is probably the most fun place I’ve ever worked, but everyone here is so nosy. It’s not just the staff either. Customers have been glancing between me and Eric since I got in. For a crowded bar they are paying way too much attention to me, and I don’t know how I feel about it.
The same guy from last week comes up to my section, and Eric’s warning flashes through my mind. I have a group of people crowding my area. He could have easily gone to one of the other two bartenders, but he chose me. The way his eyes linger on my chest doesn’t exactly give me a great feeling. Maybe Eric was right. I’ll have to tread carefully to keep from giving him the wrong impression.
The man waits his turn until he’s directly in front of me. “How come I never see you working during the week?”
If there’s one thing I’ve learned watching crime shows, it’s you never let a person you’re not sure about know your schedule. He’s harmless, I’m sure, but I don’t want to chance it.
Avoiding the question, I grab a rag and wipe down the counter. “What can I get you to drink?”
He gives me an order for a draft beer and leans over the bar. His elbows set halfway over the counter, putting him as close as possible to me. “Maybe on your next break, you can grab a drink with me.”
That’s a hard pass. What in the world gives this guy the impression that this is okay behavior. “Sorry, I can’t drink while on the job.”
“Yes, you can. I see him do it all the time.” He points toward Eric. He’s not wrong. I’ve seen him do it, but he’s always behind the bar and usually at the request of a woman to get higher tips. Not that he has to work hard for those. His jar is always full by the end of the night.
“It’s a personal choice.” There. That should shut this shit down.
“One drink.” He holds one finger in the air as I slide his drink to him. I’m doing my best not to come into close contact with him. While I’d like to think he wouldn’t grab my hand, I’m not completely sure. “It won’t even take your full break. Besides, what will it hurt?”
He’s not getting the clue. “I don’t have any more breaks for the night. Sorry.” I shrug and smile. Another lie, but he doesn’t know that. Unless…he’s been watching me. I’m not sure when he came in, but from his insistence and slur of his words, he’s probably been here a while.
“I don’t see what the big deal is.” His voice is louder this time, garnering the attention of those behind him, waiting to place their orders. You’d think one of them would step in, but they don’t.
“She said no.” Eric’s voice booms from behind me. When did he get over here? I’ve been so busy trying to gently get this customer to go that I didn’t notice him.
“This isn’t any of your business,” the guy snarls. “Why don’t you go back over there and serve drinks? We are having a conversation.”
“We really aren’t.” I mutter under my breath, but it’s apparently loud enough for the guy on the other side of the counter to hear.
“Yes, we are.” He tries to reach over the bar to grab my hand, and I instinctively take a step back. Bumping into Eric before he moves in front of me.
“It’s time for you to leave.”
“I just bought my drink.” He grabs his mug and takes a drink. “I’m not leaving until I’m finished.”
“That’s where you’re wrong.”
“What are you going to do? Make me?” The man snorts and takes another drink. “I’d like to see you try.”
Eric pushes me back, preparing to launch over the counter and do just that. But someone else grabs the man by the arm. “Time to go.”
